![]() |
Photo by grwepr Foter CC BY |
Doggy date night: How to include your dog in your Valentine's
Day celebration
Love is in the air and
dog owners across North America are spoiling their pooch with lavish
Valentine’s Day gifts. The Feb. 14 celebration often means romantic dates for
pet parents but what about the dogs? They stay at home lonely while you and
your loved one enjoy time together. Speaking on behalf of the dogs in the world
that just doesn’t seem fair. What if there was a way to have a romantic date
with your significant other AND your furry family member?
This list has creative
and fun ways to include your canine companion in your Valentine festivities.
Check out these dog friendly Valentine’s Day dates that will strengthen your
bond with each family member- furry ones included!
Wine and dine with Fido by your side
Dog friendly restaurants
and coffee shops are rising in popularity. Although February isn’t really patio
season in certain parts of North America some establishments are allowing dogs
to dine inside the building. Restaurants may even offer a dog friendly meal but
in most cases you will need to bring your pet’s food. Enjoy an intimate dinner
with your loved one and your best friend and unleash your inner foodie. Check
out this list of dog friendly restaurants in Canada and the United States on BringFido.com. And
remember- no begging at the table!
Take a romantic hike through the forest
Many Provincial and
State parks allow leashed dogs on the hiking trails. Pack a picnic lunch and
enjoy the romantic wilderness with your partner and your pet. For those in
areas with snow you can rent snowshoes to heighten your experience. It is a
healthy and inexpensive date idea. Grab your camera and try your hand at nature
photography. On the way home you can stop for hot apple cider to warm up. Invite
another couple to join you and ask them to bring their dog to make it a double
doggy date! Check out the Provincial Park and the State Parks websites for rules and
regulations regarding pets.
Dress up for a family photo shoot
Take a trip to your
favorite outdoor location with your partner, furry family member and a
photographer. Family photos with the pets are a fun and popular way to bond
with your loved ones. You can get dressed up and even dress your dog up to
match. If you need to leash an energetic dog ask the photographer if they can
remove the leash from the photo digitally. If you can’t afford a photographer
ask a friend or family member to shoot for you- even make it a double date! Paws For Reaction
offers pet photography services in Ontario.
![]() |
Photo by greenkozi Foter CC BY-NC-ND |
Try out a new doggy activity class
Enroll your dog in a new
class for a Valentine date night. Forget regular old obedience classes and try
something more fun. Many different
breeds of dog excel at agility and the classes are often fun for the owners as
well. Terriers really enjoy Earth dog trails- a course that allows the dog to
weave through underground trails appealing to their prey instinct. Disc and
Frisbee training is a lot of fun too. For those who are blessed with warm
weather in February you may want to try dock diving with your dog. North
American’s living in areas that have snow may enjoy dog sledding classes where
their pet can learn to pull a sled. This activity is especially rewarding for
working dogs.
Historical walking tours
Find out if your town
offers any historical walking tours. Many of these tours are dog friendly as
long as the pet is leashed. Find out if there are any of these tours in your
town that will allow a dog to join the group. These tours are very interesting
and often inexpensive. For those not interested in historical tours you may
want to try something spookier. Many haunted walks exist including the Haunted Ottawa Walk in
Ontario. All you need is a few good scares to jump you into the embrace of your
loved one- but don’t worry because your dog is there to protect you!
Enjoy a dog friendly overnight
The trend of pet
friendly hotels is growing as more people treat their pets like family and not
just like property. Find a quaint bed and breakfast just outside of town that
allows dogs and disappear for a night. Not only will you be catered to at your
lodge but you can also explore the town with your loved one and Fido. Find
hiking trails and historical sites and make the most out of the trip. Bed and
breakfasts in smaller towns are a cost effective alternative to staying in a
fancy hotel however there are upscale dog friendly lodgings for those not on a
budget. Check out BringFido.com to find a pet friendly lodging near you.
See a romantic movie at the drive-in
Drive-in movies are a
perfect way for a couple to snuggle up and enjoy the latest romantic movie. Why
not bring your pooch along to share in the snuggles? Most drive-in theaters
will allow a dog to come to the show so grab a couple blankets and some dog
treats. Small dogs may especially like this date idea- larger breeds may have
trouble getting comfortable in some vehicles. The best part about the drive-in
is that if your pet needs to do his business you just open the car door and go
for a little walk. Now THAT is dog friendly!
Join a charity walk or run
Get some exercise with
your dog and significant other while giving back to a great cause. Most charity
walk or run events will allow participants to bring their dog along for the fun
as long as the pet is leashed. Make sure you sign up for the fundraiser before
Valentine’s Day so you have enough time to raise money for the charity. You can
even bring your dog along for the fundraising process! Don’t forget to bring
extra water for your dog on any doggy date. Let Valentine’s Day inspire you to
do something special with the one’s you love the most.
No comments:
Post a comment